LIGHTNING'S ESPOSITO WANTS ORLANDO TIE-IN

Orlando sports fans already have their Thunder. Phil Esposito wants them to have their Lightning, too.

Esposito - president and general manager of the Tampa Bay Lightning, an expansion team that joins the NHL in 1992 - said Thursday that he wants Orlando to play a significant role in his team's development.

He also said Daytona Beach is being looked as a possible site for a minor-league franchise.